ASTM_D_4829_-_11.pdf

Designation:D482911Standard Test Method forExpansion Index of Soils1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4829;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope*1.1 This test method allows for determination of expansionpotential of soils when inundated with distilled water.21.2 This test method provides a simple yet sensitive methodfor evaluation of expansion potential of soils for practicalengineering applications using an index parameter.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as thestandard.The values stated in inch-pound units are approxi-mate.1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.4.1 The method used to specify how data are collected,calculated,or recorded in this standard is not directly related tothe accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or otheruses,or both.How one applies the results obtained using thisstandard is beyond its scope.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD698 Test Methods for Laboratory Compaction Character-istics of Soil Using Standard Effort(12 400 ft-lbf/ft3(600kN-m/m3)D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids byWater PycnometerD2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water(Moisture)Content of Soil and Rock by MassD2435 Test Methods for One-Dimensional ConsolidationProperties of Soils Using Incremental LoadingD3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD3877 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Expansion,Shrinkage,and Uplift Pressure of Soil-Lime MixturesD4546 Test Methods for One-Dimensional Swell or Col-lapse of SoilsD4753 Guide for Evaluating,Selecting,and Specifying Bal-ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil,Rock,andConstruction Materials TestingD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalDataE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and TestSievesE145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens3.Terminology3.1 For common definitions of other terms used in this TestMethod,refer to Terminology D653.3.2 Definitions:3.2.1 scarificationscratching the surface of a compactedlayer to facilitate bonding with the next layer to avoid potentialseparation between compacted layers.3.3 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.3.1 expansion index(EI),n1000 times the differencebetween final and initial height of the specimen divided by theinitial height.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 A specimen is prepared by compacting a test soil into ametal ring at a degree of saturation of 50 6 2%.The specimenand the ring are then placed in a consolidometer.A verticalconfining pressure of 6.9 kPa(1 lbf/in.2)is applied to thespecimen and the specimen is then inundated with distilledwater.The deformation of the specimen is recorded for 24 h oruntil the rate of deformation becomes less than 0.005 mm/h(0.0002 in./h),whichever occurs first.A minimum recordingtime of 3 h is required.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.05 on Strength andCompressibility of Soils.Current edition approved Nov.1,2011.Published December 2011.Originallyapproved in 1995.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D482908a.DOI:10.1520/D4829-11.2Refer to Anderson,J.N.,and Lade,P.V.,“The Expansion Index Test,”Geotechnical Testing Journal,Vol 4,No.2,ASTM,1981,pp.5867.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.Significance and Use5.1 The expansion index,EI,provides an indication ofswelling potential of a soil.5.2 The EI test is not used to duplicate any particular fieldconditions such as soil density,water content,loading,in-placesoil structure,or soil water chemistry.However,consistent testconditions are used in preparation of compacted specimenssuch that direct correlation of data can be made.NOTE1Qualitative classification of potential expansion in a soil basedon EI is provided in Table 1